nideen's review against another edition
3.0
had some good bits, but overall i think it dragged on way too much. had it been 100 pages shorter, it could’ve easily worked it’s way up to 4 stars.
melirod0699's review against another edition
Did not finish. I would be sorry if reading this series hadn't drained my life force. I just really really really couldn't get behind rose on this one. It's the kind of book I may have enjoyed in middle school or even freshman year, but it's remarkably below the mark for me now. Would recommend for maybe younger people interested in the paranormal/vampire scene.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
It took me some time to read this. Not because I didn't like it but because I had other books that I needed to read and review first.
The first half of this one was slow . I did enjoy the book but it is my least favourite so far . I will continue on with the series and I do hope the other books are better .
The first half of this one was slow . I did enjoy the book but it is my least favourite so far . I will continue on with the series and I do hope the other books are better .
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great as we got to move around a little with Rose, and I love having a girl heroine who is strong, can fight, and doesn't really need anyone else's help. Of course, she still needs other people, but she can totally function and fight on her own. She doesn't need a man to validate her.
mayyyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
malima's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book feels a little different than the previous ones did, as for the first time Rose is travelling alone, far away from the school and her friends there.
I found the addition of the alchemists a little weird, since it felt like an addition that hadn't been planned beforehand, even if I liked the way they fit in the worldbuilding once the awkward introduction to brush over the plot hole this created was over, as well as the friendship that Rose built up despite herself.
I didn't quite like the way Rose's relationship with Dimitri was treated while she was with his family, but then again it turned out that they were surrounded by plenty of unhealthy relationship, so their age difference and power dynamic might not seem so bad in comparison.
I really liked the second half of the book though. The acknowledgment that Rose went through traumatic things beyond what anyone her age should be subjected to and how naively others glorified those experiences.
Her time at the Strigoi compound was very interesting and one of my favorite parts of the book. All of the warring forces of the outside powers but also her wants and willpower and how she broke away from it, both in the mind as well as in body, and how she finally managed to get the willpower to kill Dimitri, despite how hard it was for her (even if it didn't stick).
The last fight between Lissa and Avery also had me at the edge of my seat, and I really enjoyed how we keep learning more and more about spirit, and the girls are finding out more and more how to use it, albeit slowly.
I really enjoy how well the author balances Rose's competence bc of her past experiences with her youth and brashness to create this character of a very competent teenager/young adult that has a lot of skills, but without making her unreasonably and unrealistically overpowered.
I found the addition of the alchemists a little weird, since it felt like an addition that hadn't been planned beforehand, even if I liked the way they fit in the worldbuilding once the awkward introduction to brush over the plot hole this created was over, as well as the friendship that Rose built up despite herself.
I didn't quite like the way Rose's relationship with Dimitri was treated while she was with his family, but then again it turned out that they were surrounded by plenty of unhealthy relationship, so their age difference and power dynamic might not seem so bad in comparison.
I really liked the second half of the book though. The acknowledgment that Rose went through traumatic things beyond what anyone her age should be subjected to and how naively others glorified those experiences.
Spoiler
I liked how in the end she couldn't help but take charge so the unpromised people wouldn't get killed, despite them being assholes.Her time at the Strigoi compound was very interesting and one of my favorite parts of the book. All of the warring forces of the outside powers but also her wants and willpower and how she broke away from it, both in the mind as well as in body, and how she finally managed to get the willpower to kill Dimitri, despite how hard it was for her (even if it didn't stick).
The last fight between Lissa and Avery also had me at the edge of my seat, and I really enjoyed how we keep learning more and more about spirit, and the girls are finding out more and more how to use it, albeit slowly.
I really enjoy how well the author balances Rose's competence bc of her past experiences with her youth and brashness to create this character of a very competent teenager/young adult that has a lot of skills, but without making her unreasonably and unrealistically overpowered.
talie1978's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marionw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25